Loving Modern Vintage Softness...

I realised I had a small collection of very soft, pale, and charming images... I think subconsciously  this is me, my mood board, in trying to find the right 'off-white' to re-spray our iron & timber bed, and my chest of drawers. Although I am aiming for more of a modern vintage, reclaimed - yet clean, romantic look without the obvious country influence. In the New Year this will be one of my projects to do!

images via my home ideas, elle decor, and my black book [love this blog!]

Colourful Stacks...

I couldn't go past these colourful displays... this is the best way to make an instant burst of colour into your room & shelves. I would especially love the shoe closet!

images [1] elle decor; [2] kate headley photography; [3] via lonny mag & [4] sarah verity - client home verandah home & garden living solutions

Just a Few Wrapped Up....

A simple 'folkloric' feel ... red, white, silver & brown paper! Some 'creative' wrapping using both sides of a patterned paper, and brown craft paper as 'ribbon bands' around the gifts - helps to create colour variation, surface design & shape definition with out too much fuss.

Brown paper packages tied up in string - these are a few of my favourite things!

What can I say I just love presents, wrapping & giving and receiving & opening!

images by Sarah Verity - Verandah Home & Garden Living Solutions

Oh Christmas Tree...

A number of friends have been asking me to post some photos up of our tree and some of the presents I have already wrapped and there are many more toys for little girls, including for our Isabelle, to wrap yet!

Each year we have a 'live' tree - I can't go past the smell of the pine... despite some of the initial mishaps each year in getting it to stand up! We each have special ornaments with our names - a new addition is for Miss Isabelle, and each year since we have been married I have ensured to collect a 'year ornament' [i.e. 2010]. My mother-in-law loves Christmas and collects special ornaments from each city & country she has visited - there are a lot of pretty ones! 

This year I have coordinated some of my gift tags with my wooden heart ornaments to add a folkloric feel. None the less I'm very pleased with our little tree...Hope you like it too.

 

Images by Sarah Verity - Verandah Home & Garden Living Solutions

A Christmas Helper...

Just thought I would share withy you a special little 'furry' kind of helper, my 5 year old gorgeous Blenheim Cavalier, Lucy. Who was given to me for Christmas in 2005 from my darling husband, Matthew. Lucy is our first 'fur' child[we have another Zach our 4 year old Cavoodle] seen here helping me with sewing up some Christmas stockings & Santa sacks!

Image by Sarah Verity - Verandah Home & Garden Living Solutions

Creative Gift Wrapping...

I love wrapping up presents [I still have a heap to do!] but especially when you can be a little creative about it... it doesn't take much truly. I particularly love these images showing that wrapping doesn't have to be boring, even using some broadsheet newspaper can be made festive with a touch of red & white, some letter stamping, a few cut outs with ribbon & cord! Voila! Enjoy,

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images via homelife.com.au

Festive Friday!

My vased magnolia branches from my previous Christmas vignette have wilted in this steamy summer heat we're having here in Sydney... So I asked my husband, Matthew, if he could pick up some 'sticks' for a new Christmas vignette I wanted to [re]create. He asked what 'kind of sticks?' - I said '...you know the bush walking kind  - long , sturdy and have a few nodules on them...'. And off he went with baby Isabelle strapped to his chest in the Bjorn and two poochies on leads in tow!

Well, he came back triumphant and with super sized 'sticks'- these weren't sticks but huge dead gum tree branches! Actually much better than I had hoped for [sorry honey!] their length was wonderfully in proportion to our 10ft ceilings - so I have rejigged a little Festive display.

No doubt - like me - you too have a socially chaotic weekend - maybe a spot of present shopping too, especially with only 2 weeks left till Christmas! Wherever you are & Whatever you're up to I hope you have a wonderful Festive weekend! Thanks again for joining me at Palatial Living this week.

Enjoy,

Images by Sarah Verity - Verandah Home & Garden Living Solutions.

Hand-made Love: A Bit of Festive Sewing...

I'm steadily getting through a mini-production line of making personalised Christmas Stockings & Santa Sacks for our little family... I have gone with a red, white, eggshell & oyster/ taupe colour. That way if I inject anther colour one year they will all still coordinate! I played with the idea of buying online - but then checked out my fabric & trim stash and forgot how much I really had tucked away!

So I'm at the 'embellishment' stage now, then final construction will happen & then all to do is hang! And being a little ahead of myself [this breaks my auspicious tendencies] I have made 1 extra stocking and 1 extra Santa sack for someone [another baby] we hope to have in the future - not yet though, and will hold off embellishing until we know his or her personality & of course name!

Will post more pics with the finished goods are up & hanging too - not too far away now! Enjoy,

Images by Sarah Verity - Verandah Home & Garden Living Solutions

Mid Week House Snoop... A Christie's Great Estate

You certainly do know when you have stumbled upon a truly 'Palatial Living' home when it's listed by realtor Ken Jacobs who is an affiliate with Christies Great Estates [giving the discerning buyer the greatest choice in luxury properties in Australia].

Need I say more - except that this might be [one] of my dream estates located in one of my favourite areas on Sydney's Upper North Shore, in a devine little suburb Warrawee. Take a look...But keep your jaw up! Enjoy,

Agent's Blurb.... Ken Jocobs - an affliate of Christies Great Estates.
One of the most spectacular properties you will encounter in Sydney, Bremon is a magnificent 6,400sqm estate discretely located in an exclusive, leafy Upper North Shore enclave. This breathtaking home was designed by renowned architect Espie Dods who took inspiration from colonial-era architecture, in particular Elizabeth Bay House. Surrounded by magnificent sculpted gardens, it presents an irreplaceable offering designed for luxurious family living and entertaining on a grand scale.


Timeless elegance - Completed in 2000 after a lengthy construction period, the 2,700sqm (approx) mansion achieves a timeless appeal. At first glance it could quite easily be a revived residence from a bygone era, with its stately proportions and classic façade. Originally built for oil magnate Pat Burke, the home is breathtakingly beautiful without ostentation. No detail has been overlooked and no expense spared in the creation of a home of incredible aesthetic impression and immense functionality.

Majestic grounds  - Bremons grounds are a magical highlight. The impeccably manicured meandering gardens are divided into a variety of private areas by sculpted box hedges. Designed for effortless alfresco entertaining, the covered terrace features an integrated gas barbecue, pizza oven and wall-mounted heaters. It gazes over the heated pool, Jacuzzi and championship-sized Astroturf tennis court complete with a courtside pavilion. An expansive area of level lawn incorporates a formal rose garden, a vegetable patch, an aviary and a dedicated children's play area with swings and a cubby house. Soothing water features are also dotted around the grounds.

Extensive accommodation - Accommodating the largest of families with ease and complete privacy, this world-class home contains eight ensuite bedrooms, a study, 10 full bathrooms and two powder rooms. Located in its own wing overlooking the garden, the master suite features a luxurious Carrara marble spa bathroom. An enormous self-contained apartment with its own entry creates the perfect haven for guests or staff, while a private two-bedroom teenagers level features its own kitchenette.

A regal entertainer - A grand formal entry foyer welcomes you into the home, presided over by soaring double height ceilings with a domed skylight and sweeping staircase. An extensive selection of entertaining spaces cater to formal and casual occasions, all enjoying level access to the surrounding gardens and terraces. Formal lounge and dining rooms are palatial in their stature while a refined office creates the perfect environment for those working from home. Casual living space incorporates an elegant Carrara marble gas kitchen. There is also a dedicated children's playroom. The homes crowning glory is a rooftop terrace capturing 360-degree district views.
A dedicated recreational level...


Property ID: 2008284483

images & sub text via Domain.com.au